Homework Hell

There is simply no other term for it. I can't remember a day in the past two weeks when at least one of my four kids did not reach the point of tears over a home-work assignment. Seriously. Something is wrong here. They're all in elementary school. I completely understand the teacher wanting to make sure that they "get" what they worked on in class, but this 1 and 1/2 - 2 hours every night is just craziness. On any given afternoon, my 4th-graders will have to 1.) read 10 pages in their Alabama history book and do a worksheet on it  2.) do a math worksheet  3.) do a language worksheet  4.) write their 20 spelling words twice (or make up sentences with half of them) and 5.) re-read a selection from their school day in their reading books and study the vocabulary that goes with that story. Oh, and don't forget the "read 20 minutes every night" and "practice math skills for 15 minutes every night." 

The love of learning is being totally driven out of my kids. It's not fun. It's work. And there is absolutely no time left over for any play.......... which should still be such an important part of the day at their ages. I'm very conflicted about how to handle it. I want to say, "this is so stupid and totally worthless, and you will NEVER use this information." I feel like I need to say, "I think this is a lot of work, but the Bible says we are supposed to submit to those in authority and do everything without arguing and complaining."

But at 5:20 today when Elijah burst into tears (after 2 hours of struggling to finish all of his assignments), and asked me to "please, please homeschool me next year," I wasn't feeling very conflicted at all. I cried right along with him and told him that if God told me to, I sure would. 

Even if that's before next year.